Leadership Advisory
Esquai provides consulting, facilitation, and coaching to organizations, primarily their CEOs and board members. We are a premium boutique and implement tailor-made programs and interventions. As Leadership Advisors, we support our clients in improving their performance and ultimately the value of their system.
Our clients agree with us that good leadership creates value. Good leadership is both an individual skill and the decisive success factor of a performance-oriented system.
For us, Leadership Advisory is personal work with clients on an equal level. We focus on the individual and team-specific behavioral level, promote constructive reflection and motivation and always keep an eye on the systemic level.
Our typical customers are companies, board members and executives in special situations. Special situations arise, for example, due to strong growth, before or after a change of ownership or management, in crises and in transformation processes. We have particular expertise and experience in advising clients from private equity, family businesses, professional service firms, SMEs/medium-sized companies.
Esquai Leadership Framework
For us, Leadership Advisory creates a concrete contribution in abstract leadership situations that can be mapped in a conceptual framework.
We have developed the "Esquai Leadership Framework" as the conceptual foundation for our leadership advisory. It offers the opportunity to correctly allocate leadership-specific topics and then work on them in a targeted manner. At the same time, it shows the interconnectedness of the topics.
Based on the specific situation of the clients, we recommend the use of certain tools and methods in the advisory process.
Leadership People Dimension
Three aggregation levels of a system that build on each other.
- Companies can be for-profit or non-profit organizations or other value-adding systems that need leadership
- Teams can be e.g. project teams or committees (mangement board, supervidory board, C-level)
- Individuals are leaders who bear responsibility in the system
Leadership Content Dimension
Three essential substantive dimensions in which leadership of a system is expressed.
- Culture means values, leadership culture and behavior
- Strategy sets goals, provides orientation and describes the business model
- Organization is management structure, processes and rules
Case Studies
Our clients are companies and managers in special situations. Special situations arise, e.g. in strong growth, before or after a change of ownership, in crises and in transformation processes.
Case Study
Situation
Roland Berger as a Professional Service company offers his executives individual support regarding leadership performance. Esquai regularly provides this support for individuals and teams.
Goals of the project
1:1 coaching of managers and leaders in special situations (promotion, on-boarding, leadership, team management). Improving company performance through good leadership.
Approach
Development and implementation of a coaching program in close cooperation with HR, offering a self-service program as well as regular success monitoring through aggregated feedback reports.
Success
Consistently positive feedback from the participants, program is very attractive even in times of crisis, better understanding of Roland Bergers‘ personnel needs and HR development.
Quote
»The Esquai Coaches know the topics of
our executives and support our talent
development with maximum trust.«
»The Esquai Coaches know the topics of our executives and support our talent development with maximum trust.«
Case Study
Situation
The Modulaire Group in London is a leading international provider of modular room systems with sales of 1.7 billion euros in 23 countries and 4,900 employees, including the Algeco brand. The owner had hired a new CEO to initiate a transformation of the organization and operating model. The Executive Committee consisted of 12 managers with regional and functional responsibilities.
Goals of the project
The Executive Committee, which previously worked very independently, should be formed into a jointly responsible management team under the leadership of the new CEO. It should develop strategic ambitions and goals for the group from the perspective of different stakeholders and operationalize these into transformation plans for the regional and functional organization. The previously very decentralized organization should be examined for centralization and synergy options.
Approach
In 5 steps from the start of the CEO to the transformation plan for the group in 6 months.
- Team alignment and team building including team charter and leadership performance indicators
- Definition of the North Stars from the perspective of stakeholders, e.g. customers, employees and owners as a basis for formulating ambitious goals
- Development of SWOT analyzes for each business unit and function (e.g. purchasing) from the perspective of achieving ambitious goals
- Determination of gaps between the current achievement of goals and the achievement of the ambitious goals, thereby reviewing the operating models of the regions and the group and identifying needs for action
- Development and anchoring of a transformation plan
Success
A group-wide transformation plan that was developed jointly with the participation of all regions and functions and pursues very ambitious goals. The Executive Committee has redefined its leadership roles and has grown together into a high-performing team. The CEO has established himself within a short period of time and is widely accepted.
Case Study
Situation
HAWE Hydraulik is a medium-sized, internationally active family-owned company in the hydraulics industry headquartered in Munich and employing 2,700 people. The company has a very strong, implicit management culture, shaped by the owners and the company's development. A newly formed board of directors with new and old members wanted to define itself as a team and shape its leadership in close cooperation with the group's managers.
Goals of the project
In connection with the reformed Executive Board, the management culture had to be further developed in a value-based manner. Only when the board and managers are guided by common principles should the strategy be further developed together, which will align the organization in the long run. Working hypothesis: "Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast" (Peter Drucker).
Approach
Iterative approach involving more than 80 managers in three phases:
- Bottom-up survey of the success factors of the leadership culture in the future and analysis of the expectations of the managers
- Top-down development of a target image by the board of directors with basic statements, e.g. on collaboration principles and concrete measures, e.g. on board communication of the future
- Validation of the target vision and feedback from managers
Success
The management culture has been improved in a participatory process by all managers and is therefore already well anchored. No disruption, no change in existing values, but an "alignment" and motivating collaboration basis for the board and managers. The board of directors has also been regrouped on the basis of the project findings and is strengthened entering the phase of strategic development.
Case Study
Situation
The SPIE ISW is a rapidly growing group of 30 specialized industrial service companies and around 3,000 employees, which became part of the SPIE in 2024 as the former ROBUR Group. It pursues an ambitious buy & build strategy. Since the beginning, a formulated value matrix (4x4) has served as the basis for the group to grow together.
Goals of the project
Esquai supports the SPIE ISW in strengthening management bodies, implementing the value matrix and in the strategic orientation of individual business units.
Approach
The SPIE ISW partner companies operate in technically demanding areas and the employees and management work in a strongly data-driven manner. That's why we at Esquai Leadership Advisory support on the basis of data from surveys that are as objective as possible, such as individual and team assessments, 360° feedback and pulse checks with over 1,000 participants. These tools provide data on the topics, which are then worked on in individual and team coaching or workshops.
Success
Introduction of a holistic data-based approach to strengthen individual leadership behavior and team performance. Collaboratively developed strategy with large buy-in from all those involved in individual business units and introduction of OKR as a strategic management tool. Development of the stakeholder map to support the strategic communication of top management.
About us
Our team combines expertise from corporate performance consulting and executive coaching, we know the topics of our clients

- Economist (Doctorate in Economics) Hochschule St. Gallen
- Since 2001 Senior Partner at Roland Berger, from 2018 Senior Advisor at Roland Berger
- 30 years of consulting experience
- Expert in organization, transformation, corporate performance and leadership
- Licensed Systemic Business Coach (DVCT)
- Managing Director Esquai Leadership Advisors GmbH

- Economist Universities of Konstanz and Zurich (lic. oec. publ.)
- Philosopher LMU Munich (Doctorate in Philosophy)
- Expert in executive coaching, leadership advisory and stakeholder management
- Licensed Coach Columbia Business School
- Executive Education Coach at the IESE Business School
- Managing Director Esquai Leadership Advisors GmbH
Network
The Esquai network is our leadership think tank and combines different competencies to create a broad knowledge portfolio

Executive Coach & Advisor, IESE Business School
Munich, Barcelona
Rudolf has earned an MBA from the IESE Business School in the two-year Global Executive MBA program, is a lawyer and has completed a journalistic education. For several years he worked in senior positions in the media industry. Since moving to the IESE Business School in 2002, he has focused on the executive education of top management. He also supports companies, foundations and individuals to jointly implement programmes and partnerships with IESE.
At the same time, he supports coaching projects for the first management level at the Barcelona campus and is involved in mentoring EMBA students at the Munich Campus. The "DNA" of the IESE includes an active and socially engaged community of alumni. He accompanies their initiatives mainly in the German-speaking countries.
Management is increasingly driven by technology. For Rudolf, how the human factor can gain precisely through technology in the company is a core task of our future. This concerns him on the advisory board of the Fraunhofer Academy. He also leads a medium-sized business program of the IESE Business School and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft on the entrepreneurial potential of artificial intelligence.

Executive Coach & Advisor
Berlin, Munich
Passionate coach and leadership advisor to senior executives, start-up entrepreneurs and top-ranking officials in government institutions. 20+ years of management and entrepreneurial experience, has served as COO, CHRO and CEO with strong background in sales and organizational development.
"I love to work with individuals who strive for making change for the better. Positive social impact is important to me. I accompany my clients in particularly challenging situations. They describe me as authentic, outcome-oriented, challenging, trusting and honest."
MSc in Business Administration & Int’l Management from ESCP (Paris, Oxford, Berlin). Qualified as executive coach at Columbia University (NYC). Lives and works in Berlin and Munich.

Neuro Agile Coach , BJE Coaching
Munich
As a Neuro Agile Coach, Birgit supports employees, managers and teams comprehensively and empathetically in increasing their performance and well-being. In addition to systemic approaches, she also uses methods based on neuroscientific findings, change and conflict management, tailored to the individual needs, values and strengths of her customers. If requested by the customer, she offers additive advice on resilience, stress management and nutrition.
Birgit's aim is to look at the customer holistically. She acts flexibly according to the customer's needs and offers digital formats in German and English, for example as a live online trainer.

Consultant & Storyteller, Senior Project Consultant FC Bayern München AG
Munich
Fabian loves to help organizations rekindle their "fire". With his experience in the highly emotional environment of high-performance sports and its fans, as well as his passion for systemic connections, the trained Future Leadership Consultant shows new perspectives on leadership, cooperation and customer loyalty.
With the elimination of structural energy predators, a return to value creation and the appropriate communication, customers and employees become real fans of their company.

Business Coaching & HR Consulting
Munich
Daniela is an HR executive with a strong focus on private equity and venture capital-financed companies in different phases of growth and industries.
Her HR projects include individual coaching and team coaching measures of top management, executive search for leadership positions at C and director level as well as advice and support on all strategic issues in the field of HR.
Qualifications: Dipl. Oec. University of Augsburg, Systemic Business Coach dvct

Specialist Executive Newplacement & Career Consulting
Munich
Anette Lang has been advising companies on separation processes for 20 years. With Executive Newplacement and Outplacement, she supports the design of a fair and conflict-free separation for all parties involved. The individual and tailor-made advice of managers takes place at the highest quality level.
Anette was for many years a partner and branch manager at a leading consulting firm for human resources management in Germany. Prior to that, she was for many years managing partner of a company for exclusive incentives for well-known international companies.
Qualifications: M.A. at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Tübingen, certified business coach.

Scientific Business Trainer & Coach
Munich, Berlin
Dr. Anke Soemer has been working in science management for more than 20 years and is an expert in research and transfer. At the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, she works as a Senior Advisor in the presidential field with a focus on research strategy and politics. Previously, she headed the development of young talent at the Max Planck Society.
Anke studied administrative sciences and law at the Universities of Konstanz and Ottawa and received his doctorate from the Technical University of Munich. She is a licensed business trainer and coach (dvct) and supports innovation-oriented organizations and researchers in strategy processes, acquisition and transfer of research into practice.

Sports Scientist & Systemic Business Coach
Munich
Matthias is a systemic coach and a qualified sports scientist. It is precisely these two educations, together with his career as a competitive athlete in wrestling, that shape his expertise. Whether as a lecturer at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, as a speaker for movement-specific topics in companies or his TV appearances as a health expert, once again support his credo "To move people mentally and physically".
"Both mental and physical position changes are essential for changes!" Says the expert for movement-oriented personality coaching. Matthias makes his more than 20 years of experience as a consultant, trainer and coach available to companies and individuals. The media-experienced coach also consults people in front of the camera.

Actor, Trainer, Coach
Munich
As a trainer and coach, Jörn-Hinrich Hinrichs specializes in typed communication with his ACTivators. Whether in sales, in the management context or in the private sphere, we repeatedly, and often quickly, come across communicative limits ("Why do they never do what I tell them?"). The ACTivators break these boundaries. Without camera, but with actors. A role-play in which you don't have to play yourself...
Prior to founding ACTivators, Jörn-Hinrich Hinrichs was a trainer, consultant and key account manager in the field of training and development. He has advised and accompanied corporate clients in a wide range of personnel development topics and has developed cross-functional expertise in more than 1,500 self-provided trainings.

Strategy Advisor, New Leadership & Business Culture
Heidelberg
Ulrike combines everything it takes to enable real change in companies. As an outstanding observer, she has a razor-sharp grasp of people and situations. She knows what is coming. She speaks plainly. She remains appreciative and pursues the goal of your change with charming tenacity.
With a focus on modern leadership and corporate culture, her consulting is clear, well-founded and individually appropriate. Creating sustainable value for her customers is her goal.
What distinguishes Ulrike from most consultants is her 20 years of experience in technical industrial companies. Of these, 10 years as an international executive in an M-Dax listed company. There is nothing she has not seen.

Psychologist, team & leadership coach
Munich
Elisabeth is fascinated by collaboration between people. After her master in Psychology, she graduated as a PhD on the topic of teamwork. Working in this area, very quickly pulled her into the practice of teamwork gaining experience as a team coach with all types of teams, from startups to c-level teams in big international corporates. Together with 2 colleagues, she wrote the book "High Impact Teaming – slowing down to go faster" in which they give a simple and actionable answer to the question: "What is the difference between a mediocre team and a High Impact Team?".
Since 4 years, she is affiliated with Unicorn – an international consultancy based in Leuven, Belgium and Munich, Germany that focusses on bridging the knowing - doing gap on leadership development, team development and culture transformation. Her ambition is to change mindsets and habits about teamwork and leadership for more purposeful and impactful collaboration.

Coach & Entrepreneur
Boston
Matthias is a professor, coach, and entrepreneur in the field of learning, change, and talent development.
For more than 20 years he has served as an executive coach, consultant, and facilitator for entrepreneurship, leadership skills, talent development, and media law at various business schools and universities. He has worked with startups, VC and private equity firms, family businesses, leading business schools, and global corporations.
Matthias has a master of administration studies (M.A.S.), a master in media psychology (M.A.) from the Massachusetts Schools of Professional Psychology, a PhD in law (Dr. iur.), and another PhD in art history (Dr. phil.). He is an alumnus of IESE Business School's AMP, Columbia Business School's CIBE, and Harvard Business School's Owners and Presidents Management Program (OPM). Matthias has attended IESE's International Faculty Program (IFP), the Columbia Coaching Certification Program (ECI/ACI), and is a founding fellow of the Institute of Coaching (ICPA) at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Matthias holds numerous certifications in talent development, coaching, and training (CPLP, HOGAN, Learning Agility, Emotional Intelligence, ATD Master Trainer, TKI, MBTI, Design Thinking, etc.).

Co-Creation Facilitator & Coach
Berlin
Multidisciplinary teamwork and design thinking is what excites Moritz. He guides organizations and people to co-create across different departments, teams or even companies. In this context he also coaches leaders.
2018 he founded the transformation agency mermaid & broccoli GmbH together with two partners. They support organizations in the effort to master the challenges of digitalization. Besides that, Moritz designs innovation processes for companies, start-ups and especially NGOs.
Moritz is an ICF ACC Coach. He lives in different countries and therefore likes to work virtually with his clients.

Strategy Advisor & Growth Hacker
Mönchengladbach, Brussels
Frithjof has earned a Master of Communication Science at the University of Brussels (1995) and is an Alumnus of the IESE Business School AMP Program of 2017. He is a person full of energy, following a motivating, challenging and results-driven approach.
Frithjof is Managing Partner at Business Markers und has 25+ years’ experience in helping companies to grow organically, as well as through mergers & acquisitions. He is a passionate Business Development Expert, marked by distinctive strategic, tactical and operational expertise in international business environments. Frithjof has successfully implemented business growth strategies and he has the entrepreneurial drive to identify opportunities and execute global business development plans. Frithjof is an advocate of consistent market presence using recurring business models.
Furthermore, Frithjof is lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Krefeld/Mönchengladbach and board member of several organizations

Psychologist, Sportspsychologist & Business Coach
Bremen, Hamburg
Lena is a business and sports psychologist. In her individual coachings and workshops she supports people in various phases of life in reaching their goals and improving their personal development.
Lena works in different projects in the academic field and transfers psychological topics and research findings into practice.
Lena received her PhD in the field of motivational psychology. After her academic career, she gained experience in HR management.
Following, she worked as a professor of communication, as a HR Specialist Learning and Development and as a sports psychologist.
PhD in motivational psychology, sports psychologist, systemic consultant, insurance and financial investment agent

Branding/Coaching
Munich
Oliver develops personal and product branding concepts. He loves to discover and implement sustainable, innovative, creative solutions and perspectives with his clients. He is convinced that you need good, right questions as a basis for really good ideas. That's why, for him, combining customized coaching and creative techniques is the perfect way to go.
Oliver holds a degree in design and has over 30 years of creative experience. For 20 years he has worked as a freelance designer, concept developer and creative director for companies with 1-200,000 employees. His clients include VW, Stora Enso and the Bavarian State Government. He is also a lecturer at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences for Communication Design. He completed his coaching training at the IESE Business School in Barcelona, among others.

Leadership Coach & Trainer
CKC Impact Coaching
Clarity, impact, and authenticity are guiding values for Carolina's work as a systemic leadership coach and trainer. With her LEAD & COACH approach, she supports leaders in a practical and eye-to-eye way to sharpen their role, attitude, and competencies to sustainably tap their own potential as well as that of the organization.
Her holistic approach is based on many years of experience as an internationally active transformation consultant in a wide variety of organizational forms and cultures.
Carolina holds a doctorate in organizational psychology and master's degrees in sociology, psychology, and communication sciences. She is certified at the German Coaching Association.

Digital Advisor
Growth Expert & Business Coach
Christoph Bergdolt studied law at the University of Munich and Heidelberg and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business from London. He is also a certified Systemic Business Coach (dvct).
As Managing Director and Member of the Executive Board at Swarco, AtoS and Siemens, he was responsible for the Global Business Units Mobility, Smart City as well as Transportation/Aviation, for product development, technology and growth. He is shareholder and executive partner at Transforce Partners a corporate finance, corporate support and business advisory consultancy. He is also a member of advisory boards in various industry networks.
Christoph is an expert when it comes to Digital Transformation and all related topics - strategy, processes, portfolio, sales, culture.

Executive Coach & Advisor
Munich
Frederike is an executive coach with more than 15 years of experience in different leadership positions in the media and retail industry. She inspires leaders and entrepreneurs to become a better version of themselves by living out their potential. Frederike helps them grow, professionally and personally.
She is an expert in digital transformations, new business models and has a good business acumen. She knows how to lead teams through change processes in disruptive industries.
Frederike accompanies her clients with their important concerns and supports them in change processes, leadership topics, potential development and resilience.
Frederike holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (University Muenster and Complutense Madrid). She completed an Executive Development Program (INSEAD) and attained her coaching qualifications with the Executive Leadership Coaching Program at IESE Business School (certified by European Mentoring & Coaching Council), among others.

Business & Change Coach
Munich, remote
Inga is a business coach for startups and venture capital firms. She inspires founders and investors to realize their full potential and grow successfully in a volatile environment.
As Managing Director and Business Development Manager at BMW i Ventures, she is the expert for innovations, new technologies and knows how to shape sustainable corporate development. With more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, from medium-sized suppliers to large corporations, she understands the dynamics of different corporate structures.
Inga advises her clients through growth challenges, leadership issues and strategic direction and provides valuable insights on how to successfully lead companies from start-up to scale-up.
Inga holds a Diploma in Automotive Design and Business Administration (IWW). She obtained her coaching qualification as a Diploma in Value-Oriented Systemic Coach & Consultant (CAS/ISO/ICI) and Business Coach (CAS/ISO/ICI) at the Coach Academy Switzerland, complemented by a certification as Change Coach.

Senior Advisor, Interim Manager & Business Coach
Munich
For Theresa, change is an opportunity – and identifying and leveraging those opportunities is what drives her. Whether navigating digital transformation, strategic realignment, or complex organizational change, Theresa helps her clients chart a path toward a successful future.
With nearly 20 years of international experience in consulting and management, Theresa has guided companies of all sizes through challenging transformation processes. In roles such as Chief Digital Officer, SVP Product, Business Unit Lead, Strategy & Innovation Manager, and Management Consultant, she has demonstrated how strategic vision and hands-on execution can deliver impactful results.
Her accomplishments include developing and scaling digital products, driving global business and digitalization strategies, and implementing efficiency and reorganization programs – particularly in industrial sectors, B2B, software, and IT.
As an Interim Manager, Senior Advisor and Business Coach, Theresa combines structure, analytical thinking, and empathy to bring clarity and direction, even in complex situations. She integrates business strategy, technology, and people to achieve sustainable success.
Services
Together with our clients, we develop goals, evaluate the current situation and carry out targeted interventions whose successes can be measured. We recommend our ZS products on 3 interrelated levels of action. In doing so, we regularly leverage tools and assessments such as MBTI, TKI, Big Five (B5+), Hogan (HDI, HPS, MVPI).
Service Portfolio
Esquai Leadership
Framework
References
We possess particular expertise and experience in supporting human capital matters for companies within the following sectors: Private Equity, Venture Capital and Startups, Professional Service Companies, Medium-Sized Companies, Family owned Companies.
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